Under the UK’s new Tobacco and Vapes Bill, smoking will not be criminalized for anyone who can already legally buy tobacco. Photo credit: Geri Tech, Pexels
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced to parliament, inching the UK closer to making prime minister Rishi Sunak’s ambitions for a smoke-free generation a reality.
Under the bill, children turning 15 this year or younger will never legally be able to be sold tobacco. Smoking itself will not be criminalized, meaning anyone who can legally buy tobacco now will not be prevented from doing so in future.
The bill will also introduce new powers to restrict vape flavors and packaging that is “intentionally marketed at children”. The powers will also allow government to change how vapes are displayed in shops, moving them out of sight of children and away from products that appeal to them. Under the bill, enforcement officers’ powers will also be strengthened with ‘on the spot fines’ of £100 to uphold the new laws and clamp down on underage sales of tobacco and vaping products. This builds on a maximum £2,500 fine that local authorities can already impose. It will also no longer be legal to give free samples of vapes to those aged under 18.
Additionally, the government has committed to ban the sale and supply of disposable vapes from April 2025 under separate environmental legislation.
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss is among a group of governing party members indicating they will vote against the legislation. Despite this opposition, the bill is anticipated to be approved, as the opposition has signaled its willingness to support it.